fbpx

NOAH Inspires People to Read the Bible, Stats Reveal

By Diana Tyler, Contributing Writer

Since well before the release of Darren Aronofsky’s epic actioner NOAH, religious leaders and Christian critics have been discussing the extra-biblical material inserted into Hollywood’s new adaptation of the story.

From the portrayal of the title character as a crazy, bedraggled, even murderous zealot to some potentially New Age symbolism and TRANSFORMERS-like “Rock Monsters,” even Christians with merely a smidgen of Old Testament literacy would be able to detect freewheeling deviance from the Genesis account.

In the midst of the social media debates and online articles arguing whether NOAH is to be commended or condemned, one thing that Christians can’t dispute is recent evidence which proves that the movie has led audiences to the primary source that influenced it:  the inerrant Word of God.

Last weekend, visits to the Noah story in Genesis 6-9 at biblegateway.com saw a 223% increase over the previous weekend. No doubt, many visitors were Christians desiring to brush up on their Bible knowledge by comparing the movie’s rendition with the Bible’s, while others were likely intrigued skeptics, curious to read and see if the original story and its characters matched Aronofsky’s depiction of them.

Geof Morin, executive vice president and chief communications officer of the American Bible Society, did a sampling among their vast number of Facebook followers and discovered that 87% of respondents said they were reading the story of Noah because of weekend conversations about the film.

In light of the ongoing discussion NOAH has created, Bible Gateway ran a poll asking, “Should Hollywood be making Bible-based movies?”

Sixty percent answered that Hollywood adaptations of Bible stories are acceptable only if they stick strictly to the Bible’s original details. Twenty-eight percent of respondents indicated they think Bible stories are acceptable in cinemas and that artistic license can be utilized to tell them. Finally, about 11 percent believe that biblical material should never leap from page to screen.

** Should Hollywood Be Making Bible-Based Movies?

Answer

Percent

Only if Hollywood sticks strictly to the biblical details

60%

Artistic license can be used to tell the biblical story

28%

Never

11%

 

Whether you have decided to oppose, support, or respond apathetically to NOAH, MOVIEGUIDE® encourages everyone to dedicate some time to revisit the true Genesis account so that you will “be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15, NIV).

After all, everyone else seems to be visiting it as well, a fact that is, no matter where you stand on NOAH, worth celebrating.

– Sources:  Bible Gateway, 04/02/14, Charisma News, 04/04/14.

Editor’s Note:  Diana Anderson-Tyler is the author of Creation House’s Fit for Faith: A Christian Woman’s Guide to Total Fitness and Perfect Fit: Weekly Wisdom and Workouts for Women of Faith and Fitness. Her popular website can be found at www.fit4faith.com, and she is the owner and a coach at CrossFit 925. Diana can be reached on Twitter.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Watch A SHOE ADDICT’S CHRISTMAS
Quality: - Content: +4
Watch VIVO
Quality: - Content: +1